“One week.” My voice shook. Was I really going to say yes?
Is a sexy rockstar basically just whoring himself out to me in my living room?
Am I really tempted?
He tugged my braid, causing my head to fall back as he slowly bent over and kissed my forehead. “Say yes.”
He continued peppering kisses across my brow.
I was consumed by the way his warm lips felt against my skin. “Y-yes, but we have to have rules.”
“I don’t like those.”
“Color me shocked,” I said sharply, risking the mood that was building.
He moved away from me and took his seat again. “All right, Bronte, give me your rules.”
It was so damn hard to focus with him watching me the way he was, as if I was the only person in existence, and made for him.
“Did they teach that in rockstar school? The ability to just melt panties right off a woman’s body?”
“Actually, they teach us that and how to unhook a bra with two fingers, and yes, you did totally say that out loud.” He grinned.
My eyes narrowed. “That doesn’t mean my panties. I mean, that is to say, that—”
He leaned forward. “May I check?”
“At least you sound polite,” I grumbled. “And no.”
His eyes blazed a slow trail from my face all the way down to my thighs. He looked so sad I almost changed my mind. What was this addiction that was Drew Amhurst?
“Later, then.”
I gulped. “No sex.”
He crossed his arms. “Define sex.”
“Um…” I frowned. “…I’m confused. What do you mean?”
“Well, there are lots of things we can do that are sexual but not penetration, so does that mean I can lick your tight—”
I clapped a hand over his mouth as if someone might hear him when it was just us. I’d never felt older or more like a mom than at that moment.
His eyebrows shot up as I slowly pulled my hand away, my face on fire. I’d never had a guy do that. It wasn’t like my ex was generous, and I was too busy raising kids.
I felt the slow burn of embarrassing tears fill my eyes and slowly blinked them back. “No penetration.”
“Deal.”
“Really?” I expected him to fight me on it.
“But…” He drummed his fingertips along the table. “…I’m allowed to take you out on dates, wine you, dine you, touch you, tease you, lick you from head to toe on a Tuesday morning just because you look so damn delicious. But if you ask me to — know, I’m in.”
“I won’t ask you.” I hoped. Prayed.
He just smiled. “Yeah, we’ll see about that.” He moved my plate closer to me. “So, we’re clear — no strings attached, no falling in love, and I only get seven days.”
What? What was this falling-in-love business? He didn’t let me answer as he nudged my plate toward me. “Now, eat your breakfast and pack an overnight bag.”
“What?” I almost choked on my eggs.
“Operation Bronte Connors Gets her Groove Back starts now.”
“But… Amelia has a doctor’s appointment the day after tomorrow…”
“What time?”
“Eleven-thirty, but—”
“Plenty of time.” He winked. “Oh, and I’d hydrate. We don’t want you getting a stress headache.”
Stunned, I watched him get up and walk out the front door.
I scrambled to my feet and went to the window. He was pulling bags out of a brand-new white Audi A7 and then walking over to the guesthouse. It was locked and the key hidden on the patio, of course. Braden. Drew grabbed the key from its spot under the potted plant and let himself in along with his bags.
And I stood there and watched him, wondering what the hell I’d just agreed to.
Operation get my groove back?
Tempting.
I had just assumed that would be more of a solo trip to Italy.
Not a week-long adventure with one of the sexiest men alive who, for one reason or another, was willing to give me everything I’d never had — except love.
CHAPTER 5
Andrew
It wasn’t planned.
That was all I kept thinking when I had chatted with Braden last night and then showed up this morning at Bronte’s. It was not like I said to myself, Wow, you know what would be really great? To sex up my friend’s mom and show her how ridiculously beautiful and brave I think she is.
I originally had thought of sending her on some sort of girls’ trip.
And then I immediately got jealous thinking about all the dicks that would hit on her. Plus, have you seen that movie? No, just all the nos.
Plan B, the smarter, albeit safer plan, included a spa day.
But then I got jealous about some dick touching her naked body.
It was then that I realized that I wanted to be a part of this. That I wanted to be the man that held her hand just because he could. Kissed her like his life depended on it because maybe it did.
Braden said he’d rarely seen his mom smile when he was little, and that he’d never seen his mom and dad kiss in public.
That thought alone made me want to find the guy’s social security number, send it to my cousins in New York, and ask them to do me a favor.
I mean, if you can’t utilize your mafia connections, what’s the point, am I right?
I sighed and looked around, the guesthouse was at least twenty-two hundred square feet, with a master loft that was draped in black and whites with random pieces of greenery set on the dresser and nightstands.
It was beautiful.
Much like its owner.
Wow, I really need to rein it in.
I dropped my worn leather notebook onto the bed and reached for my guitar. I figured that Bronte was probably overwhelmed and trying to think of all the ways she could get out of our little agreement, so I was going to at least give her an hour before I grabbed our bags, tossed her over my shoulder, and put her in the car for the start of day one.
My only goal. Get her to forget.
Get her to smile.
I pressed my lips together in a
